We might be seeing our first 'interstellar' visitor

This animation shows the path of A/2017 U1, which is an asteroid -- or perhaps a comet -- as it passed through our inner solar system in September and October 2017. From analysis of its motion, scientists calculate that it probably originated from outside of our solar system.

Astronomers are abuzz after discovering what could be the first "interstellar object" -- that is, a visitor from outside of our own solar system -- to be observed and confirmed, NASA says. It appears to be an asteroid or possibly a comet.

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Rob Weryk, a research with the University of Hawaii, was the first to spy the quarter mile-diameter, fast-moving object. More telescopes are turning the object in hopes to identify its composition.

Weryk said what made the object unusual and why it likely comes from outside of the solar system is its motion can't be explained by a normal solar system asteroid or comet orbit. Others have confirmed his observation.

"This is the most extreme orbit I have ever seen," said Davide Farnocchia, a scientist at NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies. "It is going extremely fast and on such a trajectory that we can say with confidence that this object is on its way out of the solar system and not coming back."

The object, which will be known as "A/2017 U1" until naming rules for its type are established, came into the solar system directly "above" the ecliptic, an approximate plane where most local objects orbit the sun. It made a close approach to the Sun on Sept. 9, made a sharp turn and passed under Earth's orbit on Oct. 14 at a distance of 15 million miles away.

Now, it's speeding toward the constellation Pegasus at 27 miles per second.

"We have been waiting for this day for decades," said CNEOS Manager Paul Chodas. "It's long been theorized that such objects exist -- asteroids or comets moving around between the stars and occasionally passing through our solar system -- but this is the first such detection. So far, everything indicates this is likely an interstellar object, but more data would help to confirm it."